Things to Do Instead of Doomscrolling 3-24

Hi, I’m Mapu, the writer behind the Substack publication Instead of Doomscrolling—a corner of the internet where you can join me on my journey of mindful media consumption. Over there, I share media roundups and curated media guides, but over here, I’ll be sharing the little things that bring comfort, purpose, and whimsy back into my life every single week. I hope you find some inspiration that sparks the curiosity to experience life beyond the algorithmic ways of the internet :)**

In the spirit of the spring equinox, I've found myself seeking out ways of navigating reciprocity. I always struggle with winter—the barren ground, the leafless trees, the grayness that surrounds me feels colder than the weather itself. However, as all cycles of life are meant to go, you plant before you harvest. I did a tarot reading recently with a very special deck, and one of the cards that flew out was giving/receiving, which led me to take a step back and reflect on what this means—not only as I watch the trees regaining their color, but in what I have experienced and what I can do to be a part of this system of reciprocity.

Regardless of how much I might sound like someone who just loves going around hugging trees, much of what I gather from these reflections on spiritual ecology gets applied to my day-to-day interactions, and especially to how I navigate the digital world. I believe we can build more synergy, balance, and supportive communities if we navigate our human experience—and the technologies embedded in it—by being generous, just as the natural world is within its ecosystems. PI is undoubtedly a beautiful example of this, so it feels right to be sharing a few other ways I've experienced it with the community here.